CAROLEE BENNETT SHERWOOD

napowrimo #2 or, on learning raccoons are violent

Another Big Tent Poetry prompt for NaPoWriMo is “Write about being afraid of an animal.” I generally do not fear animals, but I did fear this one on this day. I feared my own reaction more, though, and I think I’ve always wanted to write about it.

I was surprised that this story emerged from the prompt, but that’s what prompts do. Dah-do do. And yes, I know I promised a general note about NaPoWriMo, and I will get to that at some point. But one thing I have learned about these poem-a-day challenges is write first; talk second (if there are still hours in the day).

Oh my goodness, what a heartbreaking poem 😦 But very beautiful and well-done. Personally, I really distrust raccoons every since I tried to chase a big, fat, family of them off of my porch and they were very hard to intimidate. They just stared at me like big, stupid thugs, and ambled off eventually, but it bothered me that they weren’t very scared at all. Bleh. They’re cute and all, but they are no doubt predators.

I’m originally from Florida, where raccoons are scary. The vast majority are rabid. Crossing UF’s campus, I sometimes was faced down by a pack. They don’t run away. They turn and face you. Then start chittering. Loudly.